Brussels, Rabi'II 3, 1438, Jan 1, 2017, SPA -- Malta assumed the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union from Slovakia on Sunday. The mediating powers of the smallest nation in the EU will be tested as it takes over the helm during a critical period of internal strife for the 28-member bloc. A focus of the Maltese presidency is expected to be the attempt to find a compromise in the EU's asylum system, especially with regards to how refugees should be distributed among the member states, accordin to dpa. Malta will also hold the presidency when Britain triggers the two-year process of leaving the EU, which Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to do by the end of March. Malta has been a member of the EU since 2004 and adopted the euro as its currency in 2008. The island republic lies between Libya and Italy, directly on the route that many refugees take across the Mediterranean in their attempt to reach Europe. -- SPA 22:36 LOCAL TIME 19:36 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w304040